Pages tagged "nsw"

The NSW Container Deposit Scheme (Return and Earn) commenced on 1 December 2017. We were relieved to have made it to that point, as many people said it would never happen.

Prior to 2017, about 160 million beverage containers were littered in NSW every year. They are now worth around $16 million a year in refunds and the people of NSW have embraced the scheme. More than 1 billion containers were collected in the first year (2018) alone! The rate doubled in 2019. Recycling has increased from 33% to 70%. Litter is down by almost 40%.

There are several ways to redeem your 10c refund in NSW:

Reverse Vending Machines, located in convenient places all over NSW;

Over the Counter Collection Points, including local convenience stores and cafes,

Automated Depots where families, individuals, community groups, sports clubs etc can take a boot load, trailer load or just a big bag.

You can check out the location of these collection points here. More are being added and you can still register to be a collection point or host a Reverse Vending Machine. So if you want more locations near you, get out and talk to potential site owners and email enquiries@tcnsw.com.au to register your interest.

The NSW scheme took a while to settle in, as the amount of time between the Government confirming who would operate the network and the start date of the scheme was too short to install all the collection sites that were promised. The implementation is a gradual process as the best sites and customer demand are proven over time. Some consumers have justifiably been frustrated but it’s important to remember that you won’t lose the value of the deposit you’ve paid – the containers can be stored until you can get them to a return point, so just hold onto them until it’s convenient.

The convenience of collection points has always been important and we continue to push for a world class system that is as accessible to consumers as much as possible.

It’s your choice though – you can keep using the council recycling bin and know that council can use that refund money to improve waste services in your community (Councils can negotiate to share in the deposit); or you can take them to your nearest collection point when it’s convenient for you… or you can choose to donate your refunds to a local good cause.

There were some concerns that the cost of beverages would increase above the value of the 10c deposit and handling fee. The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) reported in September, after 9 months of price monitoring across the state, that in fact, the cost of beverages had increased below the amount of the 10c deposit, so those consumers who were making use of the scheme to return their containers and redeem their deposits, were actually paying less for beverages than before the scheme began.

Sure, it’s been a slightly bumpy road but the teething problems have been ironed out and the results have demonstrated that it’s worth the effort. NSW already has a much cleaner environment, with far fewer bottles and containers finding their way into the litter stream. We have charities and social enterprises that are earning vital revenue through donated deposits and we have significantly reduced the quantity of plastic container that have found their way to the ocean – what’s not to love?

Yesterday, Members of the Parliament of NSW from all parties supported a ban on lightweight plastic bags in a parliamentary debate led by MP for Coogee, Bruce Notley-Smith, who presented a petition with 12,472 signatures.

After many years campaigning, a ban on plastic bags is on the agenda at the Environment Ministers meeting on Friday 25 November 2016. It is time for action on plastic bags - once and for all.

Plastic Bag Free groups have been running local actions and collecting thousands of supporters. In 2012 Plastic Bag Free NSW volunteers have collected 12,472 signatures on a petition asking the NSW government to introduce a ban on lightweight plastic bags. On the 4th June 2015 the Plastic Bag Ban petition was presented to Bruce Notley-Smith (Member for Coogee) at NSW Parliament House; and Bruce triggered a parliamentary debate for 13 August 2015. Plastic Bag Free Victoria presented in August 2016, thousands of names to their Parliament and the Vic Greens have lodged a bill to ban the bag and other damaging plastics.

Importantly the Qld government will be issuing a Discussion Paper on a bag ban soon in 2016. We are lobbying for other states to join in.

A July 2015 Omnipoll revealed 63% of Australians (and also grocery buyers) support a ban on single use plastic bags from supermarkets and stores. 81% support the existing ban in South Australia showing public support grows once a ban comes into effect.

We have provided all state and federal environment ministers with the facts and a detailed policy position. While previous states such as SA and NT have banned plastic bags they created a major loophole by allowing so-called biodegradable bags - but these simply break up into small pieces (microplastics) and contain heavy metals. They need to be banned too.

Will our governments act on 25/11/16? Tell them you support a ban on single-use plastic bags.

What can you do?

Encourage your environment minister to support an effective ban, including the greenspin biodegradable ones:

There can be exceptions on the use of ‘barrier bag’ style plastic bags at relevant retailers as there are issues associated with the sale and transport of perishable foods (e.g. meat, fish)

Sale of plastic bag bin liners may increase (as has occurred in other states with bans) PBFNSW have limited concern about the increase in the sale of plastic bag bin liners as they are highly unlikely to become litter. PBFNSW would support access to reduced cost 100% compostable bin liners and investigation and education about other alternatives.

The ban should extend to takeaway food outlets and smaller retail stores. Research highlights that such stores are a significant source of plastic bag litter as plastic bags are used for a short timeframe and for limited items.

Effective evaluation and monitoring must be implemented alongside the ban with scope to modify and extend the ban if necessary.

The increase in the use of heavy gauge ‘reusable’ plastic bags by retailers must accompany effective recycling programs allowing consumers to thoughtfully dispose of bags at the end of their life.

Your announcement that the NSW government would introduce a Container Deposit System (CDS) in NSW in July 2017, is most welcome. For too long we have had the problem of littered drink containers in our streets, parks and ocean; as well as wasted resources.

I am concerned however to hear that the beverage industry is trying to replace a CDS with a plan that will only target a small amount of the bottles and cans that are currently not recycled.

It is critical that the NSW Container Deposit System is comprehensive and nothing short of a genuine world best practise system. This would mean that the vast majority of the drink containers are recycled. It would also create many significant opportunities for charities, schools and local sporting groups to earn much needed income. It’s a far better system than that being proposed by the beverage industry.

Today the Boomerang Alliance and Plastic Bag Free New South Wales presented a petition signed by 12,344 voters calling on the NSW Government to ban lightweight plastic bags. Recent plastic bag kills of rare marine life around Sydney, including a Leatherback turtle and a rare Risso's dolphin, have highlighted the need for action.